The CSV on the Web Working Group published two First Public Working Drafts today:

• The CSV on the Web: Use Cases and Requirements collects use cases that are at the basis of the work of the Working Group. A large percentage of the data published on the Web is tabular data, commonly published as comma separated values (CSV) files. The Working Group aim to specify technologies that provide greater interoperability for data dependent applications on the Web when working with tabular datasets comprising single or multiple files using CSV, or similar, format. This document lists a first set of use cases compiled by the Working Group that are considered representative of how tabular data is commonly used within data dependent applications. The use cases observe existing common practice undertaken when working with tabular data, often illustrating shortcomings or limitations of existing formats or technologies. This document also provides a first set of requirements derived from these use cases that have been used to guide the specification design.
• The Model for Tabular Data and Metadata on the Web outlines a basic data model, or infoset, for tabular data and metadata about that tabular data. The document contains first drafts for various methods of locating metadata: one of the output the Working Group is chartered for is to produce a metadata vocabulary and standard method(s) to find such metadata. It also contains some non-normative information about a best practice syntax for tabular data, for mapping into that data model, to contribute to the standardisation of CSV syntax by IETF (as a possible update of RFC4180).

Learn more about the Data Activity.

By now, you might actually know how it works. The good ol’ Smashing Mysteries: the door that would never open and the rain that would never stop. Well, the Mystery continues! To celebrate the launch of Paul Boag’s Digital Adaptation book, we’ve prepared a new riddle, and this time it’s a bit different and a bit easier.

How does it work? Below you’ll find three animated GIFs that contain a hidden message. Each GIF contains a few scattered letters (all uppercase) that you can use to build words. Once you put the words from all the GIFs together, you will be able to create a sentence. Please notice that no letters should be left unused. Once you’ve resolved the mystery, please tweet the full sentence @smashingmag using the hashtag #smashing.

Are you ready? Action!

Watch out for the clues in the descriptions under each animation. Remember: the key is to build one meaningful sentence out of the words scattered all across the GIFs.

Nothing is more frustrating than stubborn management. Perhaps it’s just about time to do something about it. 3 words, 1 of them on the floor. Large preview.

It’s difficult to convince them though. But if not you, who else will help the company and bring it on the right path? 3 words. Large preview.

In fact, you’ve got nothing to lose. And who knows, in the end, it might turn out even better than you expected. 4 words. The letters on the floor belong together, in one word. Large preview.

What Can You Win?

Among the first readers who tweet the sentence with the hashtag #smashing, we’ll raffle a quite extraordinary, smashing prize (and a couple of other Smashing extras):

• a roundtrip flight to Freiburg, Germany,
• full accommodation in a fancy hotel,
• a ticket to the Smashing Conference Freiburg 2014,
• full access to the Smashing eBook Library,
• a signed edition of the Smashing Book #4,
• a signed edition of the Digital Adaptation,
• your very own Smashing caricature, designed just for you.

Please notice that to avoid spoilers, comments are closed for this post. We will announce the winners late Sunday, 30th of March, 23:59 CET. The Mystery has been resolved and the winners have been announced (warning: spoilers!).

Alright. Let’s get to work. Or have you already figured it out? ;-)

© Vitaly Friedman for Smashing Magazine, 2014.

Nothing is more frustrating than stubborn management entangled in dated workflows and inefficient processes. That’s why we created Digital Adaptation, a new practical book on how to help senior management understand the Web and adapt the business, culture and workflows accordingly. No fluff, no theory — just techniques and strategies that worked in practice, and showed results. Get the book.

The book will help traditional businesses and organizations to overcome their legacy, and help you plant the seeds of change with very little power. If you do want to finally see changes happening, this is the book to grab.

Written by Paul Boag. Designed and illustrated by Veerle Pieters. 176 pages. The books are shipping now. Get the book now.

A look inside the book. Large preview.

Why This Book Is For You

If you are frustrated by clients, colleagues or management not fully embracing the Web, then Digital Adaptation is just what you need — ideas and concepts you can put in front of people that encourage real change. In the book you will learn to:

1. Tackle bureaucracy and overcome legacy culture,
2. Develop a flexible and effective digital strategy,
3. Use responsibility matrix to minimize delays and costs,
4. Adopt a digital culture and become digital by default,
5. Apply techniques from mid-sized and large organizations,
6. Avoid toxic practices and improve internal processes,
7. Organize teams and boost their efficiency,
8. Embrace social media and use them effectively,
9. Understand the value of digital team and invest in them,
10. Break down the walls and nourish collaboration, ownership and innovation.

A look inside the book. Large preview.

One of the book’s many illustrations by Veerle Pieters.

Table Of Contents

About The Author

Paul Boag is quite a character. With over 35 articles published on Smashing Magazine, he is not really an author that requires an introduction. Paul has been working on the web since 1994. He is web strategist at Headscape Ltd, a web design agency that he co-founded back in 2002. Paul also produces and hosts the longest-running web design podcast at boagworld.com. He is a regular speaker at conferences and author of Client-Centric Web Design.

Technical Details

• 176 pages, 16.5 × 24.0 cm (6.5 × 9.5 inches).
• Download a free sample chapter (PDF, 2.5 MB)
• Quality hardcover with stitched binding and a ribbon page marker.
• The eBook is included with the printed book for free (PDF, EPUB, Kindle),
• Worldwide airmail delivery from Germany ($5 intl. shipping).
• Available as print and eBook.

Written To Convince Clients and Management

This book will empower you to convince your clients, colleagues and management to introduce changes to the business, culture and organiziation in your company. That’s why we also prepared a few resources for you at the Digital Adaptation website. These include a trailer to introduce management to the themes of the book, video presentation that develops those themes further, Keynote and Powerpoint presentations for you to use, a PDF manifesto and related links and resources.

This should have you covered to step up and make a significant difference in your company. If you do want to finally see change happening, this is the book to grab. Get the book.

Folks Who Have Already Read The Book

We could list some well-known figures in Web design saying nice things about the book, but what about people like you? Here’s what folks who have already read the book are saying:

• “New book by Paul you don't want to miss. “Digital Adaptation” is an absolute bible for Web workers.” — liz coulter-smith
• “There is absolutely no filler, self-promotion, or airy-fairy guff in Digital Adaptation. Everything is simple, practical, and immediately applicable to problem teams and projects.” — Idea15webdesign
• “Management dinosaurs take note: Time for a new approach!” — George DeLair
• “Almost done @boagworld’s new book, Digital Adaptation. I love it, and haven’t read through a book this fast in a long time. Thanks Paul!” — Scott Whitehead
• “5 of 5 stars to Digital Adaptation by Paul Boag!” — Pete Roessler

© Vitaly Friedman for Smashing Magazine, 2014.